Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-12
THE 0TEY MONUMENT
REUNION OF rHIs BATTERY AssoCIA'
rIoN YESTERDAY.
dwelling Of the Shaft Erected to the
Memory Of the Dead
Members.

union al the Old pumrhouse. The day
va. spent in pleasant, informal way, with
plenty to cat and drink, until about 6
o'clock, when the members "tell In and
marched over 10 Gettysburg Hill, in iIol-
bwood, TO participate IN the ceremonies
incident to the unwilling OF the monument
erected 10 the dead OF the battery. Quite
pumoer Gi ladies and gentlemen had al
ready assembled on the hill. aud the outlines
sf the tall and stately shaft (Which was
dTsped with white cOvering) could be In
distinctly seen.
PRAYER.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by Rev. Mr.. Cloptop, of Uay.street Baptist
church. He gave thanks TO Heaven for the
examples which had been set by the heroes
in whose memory the monument was erect
ed, and asked that IL might be preserved
from the effects OF the elements. The prayer
vas very feryent. and concluded by IN.
yeking Gods blessing on the country 10
which we belong and from which we were
epce alienated.
UNVEILED.
MIR. II. It. Briggs. chairman OF the COM
mltiee on the erection OF the monument,
made brief report, and SAID that the COM
mittee had worked diligently, and the re-
suit Of its labors was the shaft now to be
dedicated. The veil was then lifted Ivy
daughter Of Captain Walker. and the mon
ument stood clearly outlined against the
bright western sky. An exquisite wreath
Of white flowers was then placed on top by
. grandson Of Captain Otey.
MR.. TUCKER'S POEM.
Rev, Mr.. Beverley II. Tucker, a private
in the Otey battery, now minister OF the
Episcopal Church In Norfolk. was intro
duced, and read the following original
poem:
Riag out, We bugles, loud and clear
We muster ON this knoll,
And let each comrade answer "Here!"
As Honor calls the roll.
Between US and the days Of strife
stretch many years Rfsr-
The battles we have fought In lie
Outnumber those OF war
But still the mem'ry OF these days
Defes the fretting years,
And still the fancy backward strays
With mingled smiles and tears.
Thro' varied scenes her pathway rams,
But brings us all at last
To where We see our flashing gum
And hear the ongle's blast!
And IS we gaze with eager eyes
Thro' mists OF long ago
Familiar forms before rs rise
And faces which We know.
And when from out the distance dim
The breeze Is blowing clear,
We, like strain of childhOOd's hymn.
Remembered voices hear.
OIL comrades. bark the bugles sound
Tho fast the years have sped;
To day, on Mem'rys neutral ground,
The living meet the dead.
Let Glory sound the reveile.
And then the dead will wake;
So shall our ranks unbroken be,
As here our camp We make.
OIL comrades. from the farther shore,
Was yours the sagder fate,
Who fell before the fight was DER,
Whilst Nici'ry held the gate:
Who fell whilst yet The voice Of Fame
Was ringing In your ears;
Who never saw your country's shame,
Nor mourned her cause with tears.
For you the vision mover paled.
The flag was never furled:
We fell. whilst yet its stars prevailed
To keep at bay the world.
To-day that banner only waves
Where falls the silent dew.
To bless the fiow'rs and grass Of graves
Which hide the brave and true.
We lived 70 zee how vain the trust,
How vain the strife and toll
For mat alone which holds your dust
Remains Confederate Soil.
We saw our armies forced 10 yield,
our visions fade away
But We who fell on HODors field
still wear Confederate gray.
This stone shall now our Mizpah be,
This spot our rallying place,
Where tbey who fought for liberty
shall meet them face 10 face.
This shaft on which We carve no name
shan guide virginia's youth
sigDpost on the road n Fame,
To Honor, and 20 truth.
A silent sentry. II shall stand
To guard. thro coming time.
Their graves who died fOr native land
And duty most sublime.
OF comrades Of the days Of yore,
II courage still inspire
Like that which would NOT quail before
The crater's murd'rous fire,
These mem'ries Of The time afar
Shah teach US how 10 WELD
Our weapons in she sterner wa,
On LIES great battlefield.
The shaft with which the hands q love
Now mark this sacred SOD.
Shall point 10 clearing skies above
And bid US hope in God.
Shall bid US seek LIES noble. gain,
Until our spirits feel
The motto was not writ In vain
On our Confederate Seal.
Mr.. sAvAGE's ADDRESS.
- 10 nnanainn NJ (,n0rr